Getting everyone up to speed...

Hello loved ones!

I had a few friends ask me if I would consider creating a blog for little Finley since so many of us live so far apart now! And as we all know, time is flying and December will be here before we know it.

Before talking too much about this pregnancy, I have to tell you all that Finley is an absolute miracle! After losing Sean and Liam in October, we were relatively uncertain of if we'd be able to conceive again due to the complications that followed. However, once the doctors gave us the green light, Finley didn't waste any time!

I had a feeling I was pregnant when we were visiting Annette in London and I felt extremely nauseous as we were making our way to Stonehenge. Annette didn't smell anything odd, yet whatever I smelled (I still don't know what it was) made me want to lose my lunch...maybe it was all the sheep! The day after we arrived back in the states, we got our first faint positive test. However, we kept it quiet until we had it confirmed by the doctor. Since I am a high-risk pregnancy, I was able to get in right away and see the little amniotic sac at a little over 5 weeks...no baby, but his little home was in the works.

At 8 weeks, we went back in and got to see his little heart beating! At the time it was 128 bpm, but we were told that would change as the baby grew. Shortly after this, I attended the Walk to Emmaus (which I highly recommend) and came back with the courage to share the news of our little blessing despite still being in the "danger zone." At ten weeks, we went back in, and everything looked "normal!" This word is such a welcomed change for Kelly and me.

Then...the big one...15 weeks...Brandi and Jennifer had the idea to have a "Surprise Gender Party" for Kelly and me. Basically, this entailed us going to have our ultrasound with my mother. The sonogram technicians had Kelly and I cover our eyes when they looked at the baby's private area and then shared ONLY with my mom that it was a boy. She then called Jennifer to share with her. Jennifer then emailed a number of our friends and had them show up to a restaurant dressed in the appropriate color...BLUE! So in short, everyone knew before we did! But it was totally worth it to take our scarves off and see the sea of blue attire...Kelly of course wasn't surprised at all as he has told me it would be a boy from the start!

So the story behind his name..."Finley." When I was pregnant with the twins, a friend of ours named the baby "vin." We thought there was only one at that point and our friend just liked the name "Vin." Kelly loved it, but came up with Finn and we both loved it. We played with what it could be short for and came up with "Finley." Whether you particularly like the name or not, you have to admit that it is unique! And for some reason, it just seemed to fit...it means "warrior." Patrick ("noble"), of course, is Kelly's middle name, so Finley has a family name in there as well. So, we have a noble little warrior on the way!

We don't have another appointment until July 8th, which is when they will do a full anatomy scan of Finn. Please pray that he is healthy, and pray that I can carry this little guy to term.

Thanks for sharing in our story and we'll update soon!!

Love & Faith,

Amber & Kelly (+FPM)